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A project of national significance

Ruakura capitalises on the government investment in New Zealand’s key freight transport infrastructure being at the intersection of the Waikato Expressway and the East Coast Main Trunk Line. Waikato Regional Council and Hamilton City Council has identified Ruakura at a flagship initiative in the economic development strategy for the region to further stimulate regional economic growth.

NZ Transport Agency

The Waikato Expressway is one of the seven Roads of National Significance and part of a multibillion investment by the Government which focuses on moving people and freight safely and efficiently. The Expressway will improve economic growth and productivity for Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty through more efficient movement of people and freight. Increased capacity will also make the route safer and will move traffic away from smaller communities like Huntly, Ngaruawahia and Cambridge. This will reduce congestion in those townships and provide journey time savings of up to 35 minutes. The Waikato Expressway is set for completion in 2019.

KiwiRail

Dissecting Ruakura is the East Coast Main Trunk railway line which connects directly to the Ports of Auckland and Tauranga. This stretch of rail carries more freight than any other line in the North Island. The government has confirmed a $4.6 billion 10 year Turnaround Plan for KiwiRail. This has included $750 million in new seed capital to support the KiwiRail Turnaround Plan. This will be invested in new track, rolling stock, and locomotives to improve the reliability of rail freight operations. Ruakura will assist by providing a facility to allow the efficient movement of freight by rail.

Waikato Regional Council

Through the Waikato Mayoral Forum, which includes Waikato mayors and the regional council chair, Waikato Regional Council has been closely involved in the development of an economic development strategy for the Waikato known as Waikato Means Business. This strategy sets out the issues, challenges and opportunities that face the Waikato region. It also identifies four flagship initiatives that are likely to help stimulate growth in the Waikato. The Ruakura development is one of those flagship initiatives.

Waikato Regional Council has also supported Ruakura through its involvement in Future Proof – a partnership between the regional council, Hamilton City Council, Waipa District Council, Waikato District Council, tangata whenua representatives and the New Zealand Transport Agency to manage growth in the Hamilton, Waipa and Waikato sub-region.

Hamilton City Council

Hamilton City Council (HCC) has been involved in formulating the development of Ruakura over many years, even before the land transferred into the City. HCC recognises the importance of Ruakura to Hamilton as it is at the very hub of the North Island’s transport networks and its proximity and connections to Auckland and Tauranga. Tainui Group Holdings look forward to working with Hamilton City Council to help shape our city for generations to come.

The University of Waikato

The University of Waikato is Ruakura’s closest neighbouring area. The Ruakura development has been the catalyst for a new relationship that parties hope to nurture and foster. From the very beginning, the vision for Ruakura and the way that we both integrate has been at the forefront of our thinking. In the geographical sense, we have allowed for a sizeable amount of open space between the University of Waikato and the logistics precinct that will not only provide more recreational amenities for the University students and staff, but also a buffer. On the educational side, we are working with the Waikato Management School at the University with the formation of the University of Waikato Supply Chain Logistics Symposium. We are hoping that the relationship formed will help the University position itself as the pre-eminent Supply Chain Logistics Management education provider in New Zealand. Ruakura will be able to assist this by providing a passage way for University of Waikato graduates moving into the workforce.

Chedworth Properties Ltd

Chedworth Properties Limited (CPL) has been Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) joint venture partner on the project since its inception. CPL are specialists in residential property development and has a proven history having developed 4,500 quality sections in Hamilton including St James Park, Coleraine, Horsham Estate, Chedworth and Fairview Downs. At Ruakura CPL hold 116 hectares of zoned primarily for residential activities. TGH will continue to work closely with CPL to ensure the Live, Work, Play vision for Ruakura is realised.